College Football Gameday Guide: A SEC Showdown Recap, A Big Ten Battle, and A Tradition Bigger than Football

Your complete guide to Week 5 of the College Football season at Cosm, from a Big Ten battle to a beef sandwich built for Saturdays - plus a Hawkeye tradition that is bigger than football.

This is the Cosm College Football Gameday Guide. Each week, we're bringing together everything gameday at Cosm. You'll find previews of the weekend's matchups, a food spotlight to keep you fueled up while you cheer on your favorite teams at Cosm, and a deep dive into one of the many College Football traditions that remind us what makes this sport unique. For even more info on upcoming games, including presale access to the biggest College Football games at Cosm, sign up here.

College Football Season at Cosm rolls on following a pair of SEC showdowns, with one more competitive than the other.

Saturday started with a historic SEC matchup: Texas vs. Tennessee. As the first-ever regular-season matchup between these programs, all eyes were on the game that would determine who is the real "UT."

It was No. 1 Texas that came away victorious. Now undefeated through four games this season, following a close 20-17 win over No. 17 Tennessee. Both teams put their defenses to the test, making plays when it mattered, even late in the game.

Despite the Vols' fourth-quarter push for a comeback, the Longhorns came out on top, asserting themselves as the true UT. And although they didn't walk away with a win, the Vols took away the proof that they can hold their own against the top-ranked team in College Football.

Things were considerably less dramatic in Baton Rouge, where No. 11 LSU routed the freshly unranked Texas A&M 35-6. The Aggies' offensive struggles have reared their ugly heads again, while the Tigers took control and turned the game into a blowout after halftime.

In Week 5, Cosm moves on from the SEC to host a Big Ten matchup, transporting fans to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

This Week In College Football at Cosm

#5 Ohio State (3-1) vs. #14 Iowa (4-0)

Last Meeting: Ohio State 35-7 Iowa (2024)

In a marquee Big Ten matchup, No. 5 Ohio State heads to the Hawkeye State to take on the No. 14 University of Iowa.

The Buckeyes are coming off a blowout win over Illinois, while the Hawkeyes pulled off a dramatic comeback victory over Michigan. With both teams fresh off wins and firmly in the AP Top 25, plenty is at stake in Iowa City.

Iowa's big win last week drew attention to the program as a whole, but also to their offensive stats. Through four games this season, the Hawkeyes have been held under 100 rushing yards twice. This statistic holds a mirror up to the program's offensive line, which needs to play smart if the Hawkeyes hope to remain undefeated this season.

On the other sideline, Ohio State's offense has been rolling with all eyes on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The junior Wide Receiver's explosive performance with four touchdowns against Illinois should put Iowa's otherwise solid defense to the test.

Fans can step into the middle of the action in The Dome at all four Cosm venues when two of the Big Ten's best programs meet on Saturday.

Tailgate Spotlight

Smoked Beef Sandwich (Cosm Atlanta)

College Football at Cosm calls for a culinary experience built for Saturdays.

Our Smoked Beef Sandwich is made with shaved house-smoked beef, fried green tomatoes, provolone, caramelized onions, and steakhouse aioli stacked on a ciabatta bun, served with a side of our perfectly crisp french fries.

And nothing says built for Saturdays like this sandwich.

Learn A New Tradition

The Hawkeye Wave

It's game day at the University of Iowa.

Fans flood Kinnick Stadium for a day of College Football in the Hawkeye State. Fight songs echo throughout the stadium. The Kinnick clock runs down. The first quarter ends. Players, coaches, and more than 70,000 fans turn their attention to the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital and wave in unison.

A fairly new tradition in College Football, born in 2017 and evolving over time, the Hawkeye Wave is more than meets the eye. This simple act of kindness swells through the stadium and is meant as a massive wave of hope for the pediatric patients and family members inside the hospital.

Since 2022, the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has collaborated with UI Stead Family Children's Hospital Kid Captain program to honor that week's Kid Captain. As part of the tradition at Kinnick Stadium, the Kid Captain of the week selects a song that will accompany the Hawkeye Wave.

A seemingly simple, generic gesture becomes something personal, reminding fans and players alike that some traditions are bigger than football.